A scam has been unearthed where some cooperative leaders are collecting money from farmers accessing inputs under FISP, the Farmer Input Support Programme under false pretense.

Civil Society for Poverty Reduction CSPR Chairperson Virgil Malambo says that the cooperative leaders have been collecting 15 Kwacha from each farmer under the pretext that it is a requirement from Ministry of Agriculture when in fact not.

Mr. Malambo says that investigations into the matter have revealed that some cooperative leaders from Chipata, Kasenengwa and Chipangali districts are telling farmers to pay 415 Kwacha for down payment of inputs instead of 400 Kwacha.

https://www.facebook.com/SmartEaglesZambia/videos/2121460031250370/ He described the situation as unfortunate because the Ministry of Agriculture has been implicated in the issue, which is completely a dishonest act by some cooperative leaders.

CSPR Executive Director Patrick Kryticous Nshindano

Mr. Malambo has advised affected farmers to demand for a refund of the money, which is not being receipted by the cooperative leaders.

He says that the revelation was made during a community interface meeting, which CSPR held with farmers in Kamulaza area and was attended by officers from Ministries of Agriculture, education and health.

In March 2018,

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction, CSPR in Eastern Province says is it is devastated to learn that more than 2,500 farmers in Chipata district have not yet collected their farming inputs for the 2017/2018 farming season.

CSPR Eastern Provincial Coordinator Maxon Nkhoma says the failure by the government to deposit funds into the accounts of more than 2,500 farmers in Chipata district is a source of concern.

DanChurchAid female farming empowerment Eastern Province Zambia

In a statement availed to Breeze FM News, Mr. Nkhoma says CSPR is worried because the reduction of poverty may not be attainable when household food security is compromised.

Mr. Nkhoma says CSPR sympathizes with individual affected farmers in Chipata district for failure by the government to give them farming inputs.

CSPR Eastern Provincial Coordinator Maxon Nkhoma

He has challenged government to explain circumstances that have led to more than 2,500 farmers in Chipata district not receiving their inputs.

Mr. Nkhoma adds that it is unreasonable and inconsiderate on part of government to fail to deposit funds into the accounts of farmers.

The CSPR Provincial Coordinator has therefore, appealed to Eastern province minister to explain to farmers if government still takes the agriculture sector seriously.

District Agriculture Coordinator, Mathews Ngulube could not be reached for comment by News time.